As immigration reshapes Indy, schools struggle to keep up
The Legislature has slashed extra aid to support English language learning programs at the very moment when schools are struggling with explosive growth of children who need them.
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Bills would allow public/charter partnerships to grow
After seeing a 2014 law fuel unprecedented collaborations between Indianapolis Public Schools and such charter schools as Phalen Leadership Academies, the Legislature decided to extend the same opportunity to school districts statewide.
State budget proposal shifts aid toward wealthy schools
IPS would see a 6-percent reduction in state tuition aid by 2017 despite being one of the state’s poorest districts, with more than 75 percent of children coming from families that are poor enough to qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Bill would create fund for teaching expelled students
A bill introduced in the Indiana General Assembly would divert $10 million or more in state education money into a new fund that would make grants to schools that focus on teaching expelled students.
IPS ends 2014 with $4.1M surplus despite less state aid
Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Lewis Ferebee said he is concerned that IPS could see even deeper cuts in state aid going forward.
Ferebee slams ‘victim mentality’ at Indianapolis Public Schools
Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Lewis Ferebee said the most persistent challenge he has faced since taking the helm of central Indiana’s largest public school district has been low expectations among employees, students and community stakeholders.
IPS OKs Shortridge High School student shift over objections
Some parents complained the move, which will bring more International Baccalaureate students to Shortridge, puts the interests of affluent north-side families ahead of those of other families.
Charters’ grades fall, spurring concerns
The percentage of Marion County charter schools receiving a D or an F from state regulators has spiked from 30 percent two years ago to 54 percent this year.
Challengers crush all three IPS school board members in election
Voters elect Mary Ann Sullivan, Kelly Bentley and LaNier Echols by wide margins after expensive race.
Expected low turnout makes IPS races hard to predict
On the line is whether the district will continue to move toward cooperation with charter schools and the business community, or instead slow the move toward aggressive reforms.
IPS dumps Teach Plus contract as board members trade barbs
The school board reversed course and dumped a contract with a national teacher program, as angry board members accused each other of playing politics.
IPS board president calls meeting on Teach Plus contract
The special meeting sends signals that the board could back out of the $750,000 program, which apparently was launched in IPS before the board formally approved it last week.
IPS plans to fight back against charter expansion in 2015
IPS board members met this week to prepare a lobbying strategy for the Indiana General Assembly’s session that begins in January. Chief among their goals: reining in the state takeover process.
IPS candidates raking in funds from near and far
Challengers to incumbents are collecting the largest checks. Big contributors range from the Indy Chamber political action committee to executives with Facebook and LinkedIn.
IPS school board candidate says mistake led to plagiarism
Indianapolis Public Schools board candidate Ramon Batts says he regrets representing work from three national advocacy organizations as his own in his responses to a Chalkbeat Indiana survey.
Coming to Indianapolis: a public boarding school?
Indianapolis Public Schools next year could consider bringing a free public boarding school—one of just a few in the country—to the city.
New IPS teacher contract includes performance bonuses
Under the pact approved by the school board Tuesday, teachers who were rated “effective” last fall can earn a $1,500 one-time bonus.
Effort to unify Marion County school calendars fails
A major barrier was the fact that different local unions represent the teachers in different districts, and those union contracts didn’t match up in a variety of ways.
NFP of NOTE: Indianapolis Public Schools Education Foundation
Indianapolis Public Schools Education Foundation serves IPS students by working to ensure the highest-quality learning environment.
IPS, Mind Trust choose school-turnaround fellows
The fellows will work to develop new approaches for struggling IPS schools, including concepts that focus on entrepreneurship and the Montessori method.